Songs out of Doors Part 11

He that turneth from the road to rescue another, Turneth toward his goal: He shall arrive in time by the foot-path of mercy, G.o.d will be his guide.

He that taketh up the burden of the fainting, Lighteneth his own load: The Almighty will put his arms underneath him, He shall lean upon the Lord.

He that speaketh comfortable words to mourners, Healeth his own hurt; In the time of grief they will come to his remembrance.

G.o.d will use them for balm.

He that careth for a wounded brother, Watcheth not alone: There are three in the darkness together, And the third is the Lord.

Blessed is the way of the helpers, The companions of the Christ.

GOOD TEACHER

The Lord is my teacher, I shall not lose the way.

He leadeth me in the lowly path of learning, He prepareth a lesson for me every day; He bringeth me to the clear fountains of instruction, Little by little he showeth me the beauty of truth.

The world is a great book that he hath written, He turneth the leaves for me slowly; They are inscribed with images and letters, He poureth light on the pictures and the words.

He taketh me by the hand to the hill-top of vision, And my soul is glad when I perceive his meaning; In the valley also he walketh beside me, In the dark places he whispereth to my heart.

Even though my lesson be hard it is not hopeless, For the Lord is patient with his slow scholar; He will wait awhile for my weakness, And help me to read the truth through tears.

THE CAMP-FIRES OF MY FRIEND

Thou hast taken me into thy tent of the world, O G.o.d, Beneath thy blue canopy I have found shelter, Therefore thou wilt not deny me the right of a guest.

Naked and poor I arrived at thy door before sunset: Thou hast refreshed me with beautiful bowls of milk, As a great chief thou hast set forth food in abundance.

I have loved the daily delights of thy dwelling, Thy moon and thy stars have lighted me to my bed, In the morning I have made merry with thy servants.

Surely thou wilt not send me away in the darkness?

There the enemy Death is lying in wait for my soul: Thou art the host of my life and I claim thy protection.

Then the Lord of the tent of the world made answer: _The right of a guest endureth for a certain time, After three days and nights cometh the day of departure._

_Yet hearken to me since thou fearest to go in the dark: I will make with thee a new covenant of hospitality, Behold I will come unto thee as a stranger and be thy guest._

_Poor and needy will I come that thou mayest entertain me, Meek and lowly will I come that thou mayest find a friend, With mercy and with truth will I come to give thee comfort._

_Therefore open thy heart to me and bid me welcome, In this tent of the world I will be thy brother of the bread, And when thou farest forth I will be thy companion forever._

Then my soul rested in the word of the Lord; And I saw that the curtains of the world were shaken, But I looked beyond them to the stars, The camp-fires of my eternal friend.